Despite a veto pledge from the governor and a Democratic House majority likely to be opposed to it, right-to-work legislation is again being proposed -- by a familiar face.

Former House Speaker Bill O' Brien, R-Mont Vernon, is leading the charge to make New Hampshire a right-to-work state. It would exempt nonunion employees from having to pay contract-negotiation fees.

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The effort has failed twice in recent years.

"It will come to New Hampshire eventually," O'Brien said. "I want it to come to New Hampshire before New Hampshire becomes an economic backwater. I want it to come to New Hampshire, where it can make a real difference for young people."

Opponents have called right-to-work measures nothing more than attempts to reduce the funds of unions, which typically support Democrats, saying that such laws have not done anything to create jobs. Dave Lang of the Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire said the November election, in which Republicans lost their House majority, showed that voters don't want right-to-work in New Hampshire.

"I think the election in November was a clear testament about these types of issues," Lang said. "It will do nothing to create jobs."

The group Cornerstone Action, which in the past has focused on social issues, is wading into the fray in support of right-to-work.

"I think it's important to keep right-to-work going for conversation purposes," said Ashley Pratte of Cornerstone Action. "Right-to-work is definitely needed in New Hampshire. No. 1, it brings a boost to the economy and New Hampshire families."

"We outpace a lot of other states that are right-to-work states currently," said Mark MacKenzie of the AFL-CIO. "We don't need it."

Supporters point out that New Hampshire could gain an advantage if it's the only New England state to implement right-to work.

The argument may be futile for now, however, because the Democratic majority is unlikely to support it, and Gov. Maggie Hassan has made it clear she would block it.

"Gov. Hassan continues to oppose so-called right-to-work legislation because it's a right to work for less money, and she would veto it if it reached her desk," said spokesman Marc Goldberg.

The Labor Committee plans to make its recommendation on the bill in the coming weeks.